Two callous thugs tied up a pregnant woman and stabbed her partner repeatedly after storming into their home.

Today Nikki Darroch and Anthony Tench spoke about their ordeal in what is believed to be a case of mistaken identity.

The couple were attacked in their home in Rouse Street, Rochdale, on March 7th this year as they prepared for the arrival of their child.

Anthony said: “It was so lovely, we had only been there two weeks, we started to get the baby’s room ready, everything seemed perfect. We had lots of plans, it just didn’t happen.”

They were left so traumatised by the incident they had to move out of the house and now live elsewhere.

As they watched TV at 8.45pm there was a knock at the door. Through the curtains Anthony saw two men stood outside and opened the door.

The men burst in, one going into the living room.

Nikki, who was heavily pregnant at the time, said: “One grabbed me and swung me around. He had his hand over my face. It was the most horrible feeling in the whole world. They didn’t care I was pregnant. I could hear the duct tape [which they used to tie her up] and every hit they were making on Anthony.”

The thug kicked Nikki in the stomach and threatened her with a hammer as his accomplice brutally assaulted Anthony.

Anthony said: “I could feel the piercing, which was where I was being stabbed. As a result of the attack I received injuries to my head, a broken jaw. I was stabbed in the arm, they broke one of my ribs, puncturing a lung. I received five stab wounds to the lower part of my legs and one to the top. I was in intensive care for nine days.

Nikki said: “We could have lost the baby, and we nearly lost Anthony, and they didn’t care.”

Anthony said: “I just thought, they must have the wrong people, I thought they must be looking for someone else.”

The thugs arrived in a silver Mercedes old style car, which drove around the area before returning to pick the men up.

Police believe the attackers spoke with an Eastern European accent - possibly Polish.

They have now issued an e-fit of one of the men, who was 5ft 4in to 5ft 6in, stocky, and with dark hair.

During the attack one thug held a hammer to Nikki’s head as she lay on the floor and demanded money.

Det Con Russ Clarke from GMP’s Rochdale division said: “This was a terrifying and violent attack on the occupants of the house, which left the expectant mother traumatised and the man suffering life changing injuries.

“I would like to reassure the public that we are still doing everything we can to identify those responsible for committing this violent crime and bring them to justice.

“I would like to appeal for any witnesses to come forward who may have been in the area at the time or who may have seen the offenders or the silver vehicle.

“If anyone has any information, no matter how small or insignificant they think it may be, please get in touch with Police at Rochdale Police Station on 0161 856 8588.”